Rural Hospital-Based Obstetrics Care Services

ongoing closures

A report highlights the loss of hospital-based obstetrics care services in rural counties across the United States. Between 2010 and 2023, many rural counties lost access to these services due to workforce shortages, financial losses, clinical safety concerns, and liability insurance costs. The closures have been ongoing with an average of more than two rural obstetric unit closures every month in 2024-25, impacting maternal and infant health and rural community sustainability.